topic Re: Keyboard failure in Desktops General - Read Onlyhttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390998#M571293
<P>I am having the same problem as the original poster - fixed a "frozen" situation by restarting, now get "keyboard failure" at boot on my XPS 400 purchased in Jan 06.&nbsp;&nbsp; Seems like this is a common problem out there for Dell's.&nbsp; Problem is definitely not the keyboard&nbsp;as it works on a laptop.&nbsp; No PS2 connection, only USB.&nbsp; No USB ports work, therefore can't do any diagnostics by keyboard.</P>
<P>Tried to "flash the bios" as suggested elsewhere on the 'net by playing with the&nbsp;jumper blocks.&nbsp; did not work.&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P>a search of this failure on this site and on google generally will reveal that&nbsp;this has happened to lots of Dell buyers, yet there does not appear to be any solutions out there other than to replace the motherboard, i.e., buy&nbsp;a new computer.&nbsp; would love for a moderator to address this.&nbsp; </P>
<P>thanks</P>
<P>scott&nbsp;</P>Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:20:02 GMTsrlawson2008-12-01T23:20:02ZKeyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390992#M571287
<DIV>Hi.</DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>I have a Dell dimension 9150 with dell keyboard and dell mouse (both USB).</DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>My problem is that a couple of days ago I was playing my computer when it suddenly froze. I shut down the computer and turned it on again. Now when it is booting it stops for a while on the first Dell screen. After 20 seconds it moves on but writes: "Keyboard Failure".</DIV><DIV>The result of this is that i can neither use my keyboard nor my mouse which indicates that i am rather stuck!!!</DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>I can't press the f1, f2 og f12 bottons.</DIV><DIV>I have tried to use the other USB-entries.</DIV><DIV>Both the keyboard and the mouse works perfectly on my laptop.</DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>Can anyone please help me?</DIV>Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:18:48 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390992#M571287Gunnergunner2007-04-17T15:18:48ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390993#M571288
Gunnergunner,<BR /><BR />Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.<BR /><BR />Reseat the cables and make sure they are connected to the rear usb pors on the system. If that does not resolve the issue post back here in the forum.Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:30:32 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390993#M571288DELL-Jesse L2007-04-17T18:30:32ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390994#M571289
<DIV>The cabels are inserted ind the ports on the back of the computer corresponding to the instructions in the manual.</DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>Other ideas? Anyone?</DIV>Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:58:19 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390994#M571289Gunnergunner2007-04-17T18:58:19ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390995#M571290
Can you test the keyboard on a different PC? Try all the other rear USB ports on the tower.<BR /><BR />RonWed, 18 Apr 2007 02:13:22 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390995#M571290RoHe2007-04-18T02:13:22ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390996#M571291
<P>Hi. I am having the same problem on my two-year-old (out of warranty) XPS 400. Suddenly I am getting "keyboard failue" during boot up. Many posters have said "hit F2" or "F8" but--hello--if the keyboad is disabled I can't hit anything! </P>
<P>I have tried all of the USB ports, front and back, and it makes no difference. I bought a new MS optical keyboard, and it does not work either.</P>
<P>Also, I cannot find a system disk so I am thinking the unit shipped without one. I saw somewhere on dell.com that Dell would send such a disk, but now I cannot find that page to request one.</P>
<P>Any practical suggestions would be appeciated.</P>
<P>James</P>Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:31:16 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390996#M571291texan4now2008-11-29T02:31:16ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390997#M571292
<P>Something else to try that worked for me on my 410:</P>
<UL>
<LI>Power off PC</LI>
<LI>Unplug the power cord from the back of the PC</LI>
<LI>Press and hold the "power on" button for 20-30 seconds (this drains the remainder of power from the system)</LI>
<LI>Plug the power cord back into the PC</LI>
<LI>Power on PC and check for keyboard and mouse availability.</LI>
</UL>Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:08:25 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390997#M571292keithg22008-11-29T13:08:25ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390998#M571293
<P>I am having the same problem as the original poster - fixed a "frozen" situation by restarting, now get "keyboard failure" at boot on my XPS 400 purchased in Jan 06.&nbsp;&nbsp; Seems like this is a common problem out there for Dell's.&nbsp; Problem is definitely not the keyboard&nbsp;as it works on a laptop.&nbsp; No PS2 connection, only USB.&nbsp; No USB ports work, therefore can't do any diagnostics by keyboard.</P>
<P>Tried to "flash the bios" as suggested elsewhere on the 'net by playing with the&nbsp;jumper blocks.&nbsp; did not work.&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P>a search of this failure on this site and on google generally will reveal that&nbsp;this has happened to lots of Dell buyers, yet there does not appear to be any solutions out there other than to replace the motherboard, i.e., buy&nbsp;a new computer.&nbsp; would love for a moderator to address this.&nbsp; </P>
<P>thanks</P>
<P>scott&nbsp;</P>Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:20:02 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390998#M571293srlawson2008-12-01T23:20:02ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390999#M571294
<P>What happens if you boot from Dell Windows Reinstallation CD, or other bootable CD? If keyboard works, you have a software failure. If not, you have motherboard or keyboard failure. Have you tried this keyboard on another PC or another keyboard on this PC?</P>
<P><BR />Power off and disconnect PC from the wall. Press/hold power button for ~15 sec. Open the case and remove the battery from the motherboard. Leave it that way for a couple of hours or even overnight. Reinstall the battery (right-side up!) and see if it will boot with only USB keyboard and mouse, and monitor connected.</P>
<P><BR />And you may need to do a Repair/Reinstall of XP.</P>
<P>8th attempt to post. <img class="emoticon emoticon-SuperAngry" id="SuperAngry" src="https://vjauj58549.i.lithium.com/community/s/html/images/emoticons/emotion-39.gif" alt="" title="" /> <img class="emoticon emoticon-Angry" id="Angry" src="https://vjauj58549.i.lithium.com/community/s/html/images/emoticons/emotion-12.gif" alt="" title="" /> <img class="emoticon emoticon-SuperAngry" id="SuperAngry" src="https://vjauj58549.i.lithium.com/community/s/html/images/emoticons/emotion-39.gif" alt="" title="" /> <img class="emoticon emoticon-Sad" id="Sad" src="https://vjauj58549.i.lithium.com/community/s/html/images/emoticons/emotion-6.gif" alt="" title="" /> [:'(]</P>
<P>Ron</P>Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:39:48 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2390999#M571294RoHe2008-12-01T23:39:48ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391000#M571295
<P>Nothing different happens upon using the CD.&nbsp; Keyboard definitely works.&nbsp; Have removed the battery previously, though not for hours, and no change.&nbsp;&nbsp; I suspect it's the motherboard though I'm angry that it would go after less than 3 years of not very heavy use.&nbsp; Can't figure out the part # for the motherboard in order to see how much it would cost to replace it.&nbsp; Suggestions on how to find the part #?&nbsp; Can one write directly to the liasions here to get their attention - as I've said before and as you can see from this thread alone, this is a widespread problem deserving of Dell's attention. thanks. </P>Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:57:17 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391000#M571295srlawson2008-12-02T20:57:17ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391001#M571296
<P>srlawson,</P>
<P>When you power it on with the keyboard and mouse plugged into rear PC USB ports, what color are the Diagnostic Lights&nbsp;</P>
<P>&lt;<B>ADMIN NOTE:</B> Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell&gt;</P>
<P>and the Power button light?</P>
<P>&lt;<B>ADMIN NOTE:</B> Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell&gt;</P>
<P>&nbsp; The motherboard part number is HG547 (Motherboard Service Kit for Prescott &amp; Smithfield CPUs).</P>Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:25:48 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391001#M571296Chris_Mixon2008-12-02T21:25:48ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391002#M571297
<P>Chris, </P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Diagnostic lights and power button light are green.&nbsp; Lights 1,2, &amp; 3 stay on.&nbsp; Two beeps at final screen of interrupted boot, screen message is keyboard failure and Floppy diskette seek failure.&nbsp; Above the failure messages are "Dell DXP051 Series" and "BIOS version A02". </P>
<P>No floppy drive on computer.&nbsp; Keyboard and mouse are&nbsp;dell optical variety, both work on my laptop.&nbsp; USB transmitter&nbsp;seems like it does not get proper power/signal when&nbsp;connected to desktop. &nbsp; I've tried taking the battery out and removing then replacing the jumper.&nbsp; Not a computer expert by any means, just know enough to be dangerous.&nbsp; Only discernible part # on the MB is about 12 digits long.&nbsp; Appreciate any help you can provide. </P>
<P>Scott</P>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:33:18 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391002#M571297srlawson2008-12-03T02:33:18ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391003#M571298
<P>Additionally, all the USB ports function sufficiently to charge an IPOD, though none of them appear to recognize a wired&nbsp;keyboard/mouse or wireless receiver.&nbsp;</P>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:31:50 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391003#M571298srlawson2008-12-03T19:31:50ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391004#M571299
<P>It looks like the motherboard needs to be replaced.</P>
<P>HG547 Motherboard Service Kit for Prescott &amp; Smithfield CPUs<BR />HJ073 Motherboard Service Kit for Presler CPUs</P>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:29:50 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391004#M571299Chris_Mixon2008-12-03T20:29:50ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391005#M571300
<P>I called spare parts, they said they are out of HG547 but assured me that FJ030 was compatible.&nbsp; Can you verify that?</P>
<P>Thanks.</P>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:10:39 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391005#M571300srlawson2008-12-03T23:10:39ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391006#M571301
<P>I read many suggestions for the "keyboard failure" problem and this is the one that worked.&nbsp; I have an XPS 400.&nbsp; Thanks !</P>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:43:37 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391006#M571301jairoram2008-12-16T04:43:37ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391007#M571302
<P>jairoram-</P>
<P>Which suggestion worked? <img class="emoticon emoticon-Wink" id="Wink" src="https://vjauj58549.i.lithium.com/community/s/html/images/emoticons/emotion-5.gif" alt="" title="" /></P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>Ron</P>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:55:11 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391007#M571302RoHe2008-12-16T18:55:11ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391008#M571303
<P>I am having a similar problem.</P>
<P>Last night I connected a Vivitar camera.&nbsp; I forgot to install the drivers for the camera first.&nbsp; When&nbsp;I connected the camera, the computer locked up.&nbsp; I powered off the computer and when I turned it on this morning, it booted to the User login screen for XP.&nbsp; However, both the keyboard and mouse do not work.&nbsp; When I restarted the computer, I noticed that I was getting a "keyboard error" and that the computer did not seem to recognize any input from the keyboard.&nbsp; I tried four different keyboards without any luck.</P>
<P>Bottom line, it looks like all the USB ports on the computer have become diabled.&nbsp; Effectively, I cannot do anything with my computer because there is no PS/2 port for me to try an older keyboard.&nbsp; The keyboard is getting power (it lights up) but no functionality.&nbsp; Oddly, my mouse does not seem to be getting any power.</P>
<P>The computer (XPS 400) is booting up fine and there are no error lights on.&nbsp; Just seems that the BIOS got scrambled.</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:46:28 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391008#M571303theedge1012008-12-29T18:46:28ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391009#M571304
<P>I am having the same problem with my xps 400, keyboard failure. It seems like a lot of people are having the same problem and I am wondering if Dell is doing anything about this product. i don't want to pay for tech support to tell me it is an expensive mother board problem. Thanks</P>Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:10:44 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391009#M571304cyndiword2008-12-31T18:10:44ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391010#M571305
<P>Try this:</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>Turn off PC by holding down power button.&nbsp;&nbsp; After it turns off - unplug from wall.&nbsp; </P>
<P>While unplugged from wall - hold down the power on/off button for 60 seconds (this drains the power from the system).</P>
<P>Plug PC back in and reboot - hopefully, that fixes the issue.</P>
<P>From what I have seen, this is a common problem and the keyboards are fine - Dell does not currently have a solution.</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>Good luck!</P>Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:47:46 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391010#M571305jairoram2009-01-02T01:47:46ZRe: Keyboard failurehttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391011#M571306
<P>jairoram,</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>Thank you this worked for me.&nbsp; I was trying to sync a pda phone through usb and unplugged it during sync.&nbsp; The mouse and keyboard froze and I had to reboot.&nbsp; All further reboots came up with keyboard failure.&nbsp; I tried multiple keyboards.</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>I tried your advice and it was up and running on the next reboot.</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>Thanks and good luck to all.</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>Troy</P>Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:10:21 GMThttps://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Keyboard-failure/m-p/2391011#M571306TroyM272009-01-05T04:10:21Z